Synaxis of the Saint John the Baptist in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church

By Fr. George Dorbarakis 

 

From the earliest times, and by God’s guidance, we have celebrated on the day after the Holy Theophany the Synaxis of the all-holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist, Saint John, because he ministered the sacred mystery of divine baptism. This feast is also connected with the other celebrations of Saint John, so that nothing of his miracles is left unspoken.

On this same day, we also remember the translation of the venerable hand of Saint John to the “Queen of Cities,” which occurred as follows: In the city of Sebaste, where it is said that the body of the Forerunner was buried, the Evangelist Luke arrived. He took the right hand of John’s prophetic body and brought it to his own city, Antioch. There, the hand of the Forerunner performed countless miracles, including this remarkable one:

At the outskirts of the city lived a terrible dragon, a huge serpent, which the locals — and the pagans among them — honored with an annual sacrifice. Each year, a Christian was chosen by lot to offer his young daughter to the beast. The dragon would emerge from its lair, gaping with its enormous mouth, and devour its victim with terrifying speed. The father of one chosen girl prayed desperately to God and to the Forerunner, pleading to save his daughter from this cruel death.

The Theophany of the Lord: Homily 3: On the Divine Service on the Feast of the Theophany of the Lord (Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko)

 

1. The Feasts of the Lord

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko 

III. The Theophany of the Lord

Homily No. 3: On the Meaning of the Holy Water of Theophany

I. What is especially remarkable about the feast of Theophany is that on this feast water is sanctified. The Holy Church has used holy water from ancient times, and one may suppose that the sanctification of water began already in apostolic times. Therefore, sanctified water is venerable also by reason of its great antiquity. When we sprinkle ourselves with holy water and use it for various pious purposes, we do what pious Christians of all ages have done.

II. At the same time, it is perfectly true that holy water brings manifold benefit to those who use it properly.

a) Through holy water we receive the grace of God: it awakens in us repentance for our sins and produces true reverence within us. And if you sprinkle yourself with holy water while having a contrite heart, you receive forgiveness of sins. Holy water is also an effective means against all temptations, especially those that come from the devil. Therefore, when temptation comes upon you, and you reverently and with hope partake of a few drops of holy water, having first made the sign of the Cross, you may be assured that God will grant you the grace to overcome temptation and to keep your conscience pure. The devil fears holy water and flees from it. All places that are sprinkled with holy water with faith, hope, and reverence are inaccessible to the evil spirit: he does not dare to approach them.

January: Day 7: Teaching 2: Synaxis of Saint John the Baptist

January: Day 7: Teaching 1:
Synaxis of Saint John the Baptist
 
(The Fate of a Friend of Truth)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. There are extraordinary people. Their manner of acting attracts universal attention. Such people are not always some famous heroes, conquerors, rulers of nations, or writers. We admire people of that sort, and often cannot or need not imitate them. But there are extraordinary people whose manner of acting everyone regards with special respect and in whom they feel an inner impulse to imitate. These are truly great people.

II. Among these truly great people stands out John the Baptist of Christ. In order to attain the great goal appointed to him by God, he did absolutely everything he could. Living in the wilderness until the very years of his full manhood, he labored tirelessly over the spiritual formation of his mind and heart. And so that his labor might more easily be crowned with success, he constantly kept his sensual nature under a very strong restraint. When he had matured — when his mind, his heart, his sensual nature, and his entire activity had received a firm direction in accordance with the law of God — the Lord God sent him to sinful Israel, demanding from it repentance and fruits worthy of repentance. Without delay he undertook the fulfillment of the task entrusted to him and carried it out with all the zeal and wisdom that were necessary and possible. He exposed vices in people of every rank, as the most faithful friend of truth, and demanded correction.

Prologue in Sermons: January 7

Against Arrogance and Conceit

January 7

(From the Narrative of Saint Theodore, Bishop of Edessa, about the Wondrous Stylite who Lived in Edessa)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Spiritual pride destroys many. Because of it, people not only often lose the reward for their good deeds, but also bring upon themselves the wrath of God. There are many forms of this pride, and it is difficult to enumerate them all. As an example, let us take the following case.

“Ah,” say some, “how heartless the rich live nowadays: they do not wipe away the tears of the poor, they have no love for their neighbors! If only I were rich — how many widows and orphans I would care for! How much good I would do!” And what then? Sometimes it happens that such a person truly does come into wealth, and indeed he does much good with it. But how? Inevitably with the thought: “See what I am like! I am not as other men are!” And because of this Pharisaical boasting, his good deeds cease to be good in the eyes of God.

The Theophany of the Lord: Homily 2: On the Divine Service on the Feast of the Theophany of the Lord (Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko)

 

1. The Feasts of the Lord

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko 

III. The Theophany of the Lord

Homily No. 2: On the Divine Service on the Feast of the Theophany of the Lord

I. On January 6 the Holy Church celebrates the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The day of the Lord’s Baptism is one of the great Twelve Feasts and is celebrated just as solemnly as the day of the Nativity of Christ. The entire period from the Nativity to the Baptism is called the Holy Days (Svyatki). According to the instruction of the Church, we are to spend them in spiritual rejoicing, reflecting on the events in Bethlehem and on the Jordan.

The feast of the Baptism is also called the feast of Theophany, Illumination, and the Feast of Lights. It is called Theophany because at the Baptism of the Savior all three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity were revealed to the world. From the opened heavens “the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form, like a dove” (that is, upon the baptized Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity), and a voice (of God the Father) came from heaven, saying: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” It is also called Theophany because at His Baptism Jesus was revealed to His Forerunner and then to the whole world as the true Messiah. Saint John Chrysostom says: “It is not the day on which the Savior was born that should be called His manifestation, but the day on which He was baptized. It was not through His birth that He became known to all, but through His Baptism; therefore Theophany is called not the day on which He was born, but the day on which He was baptized.”

January: Day 6: Teaching 3: The Baptism of the Lord

January: Day 6: Teaching 3:
The Baptism of the Lord
 
(Why Did the Holy Spirit Appear at the Baptism in the Form of a Dove?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Listening to the Evangelists' account of the baptism of Jesus Christ and the appearance of the entire Holy Trinity at the Jordan, one cannot help but notice the form in which the Holy Spirit appeared during the Lord's baptism. Why did the third Person of the Holy Trinity — the Holy Spirit — appear at the Jordan in the form of a dove, whereas during the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, He appeared in the form of tongues of fire?

Prologue in Sermons: January 6

Lenten Homily on Preparing for the Reception of the Holy Mysteries

January 6

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Behold, brethren, Great Lent has come, and you will partake of the Holy Mysteries. All this is wonderful; but here is the matter: the Apostle says, “Whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. For he who eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s Body” (1 Cor. 11:27–29). From these words of the Apostle it is clear that one may partake worthily or unworthily. To partake worthily means to be united with Christ; to partake unworthily means to eat and drink judgment to oneself. Since, after what has been said, you have surely understood that worthy communion requires a certain preparation, let us now speak about that preparation.

The Theophany of the Lord: Homily 1: History of the Feast and Its Moral and Dogmatic Lessons (Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko)

1. The Feasts of the Lord

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko 

III. The Theophany of the Lord

Homily No. 1: Setting Forth the History of the Feast of the Lord’s Theophany, with Moral and Dogmatic Lessons

I. Now Jesus Christ, having according to His human nature reached the age of thirty years (Luke 3:23), came to the River Jordan — where Saint John the Forerunner was preaching repentance, preparing the Jews to receive the promised Redeemer — and received baptism from John in the waters of the Jordan.

And when Jesus, having been baptized, came up out of the water, the heavens were opened to Him, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest upon Him. And behold, a voice from heaven, saying: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:15–17).

II. a) By His baptism — that is, His immersion in the waters of the Jordan — Jesus Christ openly begins His ministry for the salvation of the human race, before the eyes of men. By His baptism He elevates John’s baptism into a saving Mystery, and by His own example establishes that all who believe in Him should be baptized and by baptism seal their vow henceforth to serve with all their strength the one God, glorified in three Persons.

January: Day 5: Teaching 3: Holy Martyrs Theopemptos and Theonas

January: Day 5: Teaching 3:
Holy Martyrs Theopemptos and Theonas
 
(Why Are We Afraid of Death?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Saint Theopemptos, commemorated today, was Bishop of Nicomedia (in Asia Minor) and lived in the second half of the 3rd century, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. He was the first to suffer from the persecution of Christians in Asia Minor, refusing to bow down to idols and offer sacrifices to them in the presence of the emperor himself. "Those you worship," Theopemptos told the emperor, "are not gods, and no matter what torments you threaten me with, you will not compel me to honor them." Diocletian ordered the Bishop thrown into a fiery furnace; anticipating his intention, Theopemptos entered it himself, and the next day soldiers found him unharmed. Superstitious pagans often saw the work of magic in Christian miracles; such was the case here. Convinced that Theopemptos was aided by magic, Diocletian ordered a sorcerer to be found who possessed this art to an even greater degree. One sorcerer, named Theonas, answered the emperor's summons; the latter promised him great honors and rewards. "I will perform two experiments on you," Theonas told the Bishop, "and if you survive them, then I too will believe in your God." He then gave him two small cakes laced with poison to eat; Theopemptos remained unharmed. Astonished, Theonas gave him water laced with a poisonous herb to drink; but it, too, did not harm the Bishop. Then the sorcerer fell at the Saint's feet in amazement and exclaimed, "There is no other God but the One in whom you believe; I am a Christian and I worship Christ." In prison, where Diocletian ordered both confessors to be taken, the Bishop confirmed Theona in the Christian faith and baptized him. After further torture, having exhausted all means to destroy the Saint, the emperor finally ordered Theopemptos's beheading (303). "The Saint joyfully received this news and exclaimed, 'Blessed be God, who has deemed me worthy to attain the day I have always desired.'" After the martyrdom of Saint Theopemptos, Diocletian, through threats and promises, attempted to persuade Theonas to renounce Christ, but met with a firm refusal. He then ordered him thrown into a deep ditch and covered with earth. Theonas died in 303.